Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 187 Buying Things.

Yang Peiming also found everything quite novel; emotions are contagious, and a genuine smile spread across her face, just like several children around her.

The tractor driver yelled out, "Has everyone settled down?"

The Military Wives replied in unison, loud and clear, "We’re all set."

Then the tractor started moving, creating a unique sound as it went, putt-putt-putt...

When they reached the town, about ten kilometers away after half an hour, everyone had different items to buy, so they split up. Some went to the grain purchasing station while others headed to the Cooperative Society. They agreed to reconvene at the entrance of the Cooperative Society to head back together.

Because she was still unfamiliar with the area, Yang Peimin just followed Dahua’s lead.

Shen Yiguang asked someone to buy rice, so Luo Peimin planned to purchase some white corn flour, and of course soy sauce, vinegar, and oil; she also found ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and star anise. Yiguang liked his flavors strong, so she aimed to buy plenty of these seasonings.

Next, she looked at the meat and vegetables; mutton was more common here than pork. Yang Peimin bought two kilograms of mutton, planning to make a clear stew and a soup with mutton bones, huai shan, and carrots. She also saw some lean pork and bought four kilograms because she planned to make pork floss, which was good for mixing with dishes, especially since meat couldn’t last long without refrigeration. She also bought some durable vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Yang Peimin wanted to make dumplings as Shen Yiguang liked them, but she wasn’t skilled at making dumpling wrappers, so she thought she’d practice more before attempting them.

Since she enjoyed Dahua’s pickled eggs, this time Yang Peiming bought about ten kilograms to prepare and asked Dahua to help her. She didn’t want Dahua to do it for free and planned to make extra pork floss to give her some. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Dahua was stunned to see her buy so much without blinking, mostly grains and meat, more than one would consume even during the New Year’s feast. Thinking she was young and naive, Dahua gently advised her, "Sister-in-law, life is long, buying so much at once is wasteful if you can’t eat it all. Once money is spent, it goes to someone else, and if you suddenly need it, you won’t have it, which would be bad."

Yang Peimin knew Dahua meant well, so she accepted the advice, nodding with a smile, "You’re right, sister-in-law. I’m returning in a few days, and I thought, since I’ve been here for quite some time, I haven’t really cooked a proper meal for my family. I feel uneasy about it. With a few days left, I want to make amends. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

Dahua breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as you’re aware."

Yang Peimin then pulled her along to buy some bowls and plates.

Currently, all the tableware like bowls, plates, and cups were enamel tankards available at the Cooperative Society. Dahua directly showed them to her. Yang Peimin, not quite liking them, asked if there were any porcelain ones.

Dahua led her to a ceramics shop. Upon arrival, Yang Peimin was pleasantly surprised because not only could she buy bowls and plates, but she also found cosmetic boxes. All she needed to do was ask if the craftsmen inside could make a special order of the porcelain she wanted.

After picking out the tableware she liked, Yang Peimin asked the salesclerk if it was possible to custom order some porcelain. The clerk looked her up and down, pondering her request, and asked what she needed them for.

Yang Pei Min suggested making some snacks and sauces to give to relatives and friends during the holidays.

The salesperson said that was possible, but they would need a letter of introduction, which wasn’t a problem—Yang Peiming could get one.

Since there was a kiln nearby, it was convenient to pick up the goods, and he arranged to come back in two days to collect them.

Yang Pei Min was making circular boxes with a diameter of five centimeters, which could hold thirty grams of lipstick foundation. Thirty cents were paid to order thirty pieces.

After leaving the porcelain shop, Luo Dahua couldn’t help but ask, "Sister-in-law, what are you making?"

Yang Pei Min took the chance to tell her that she could make this meat floss and would send some to her later.

Luo Dahua laughed, "It sounds like a fancy item. Sister-in-law, you are really capable. Even gifting needs to be this elaborate?"

Yang Pei Min smiled and nodded, not bothering to explain further.

Luo Dahua clicked her tongue and took another discreet look at Yang Pei Min. This sister-in-law didn’t seem like a village girl; even if she lived in the countryside, her education was definitely different. For instance, some parents might not understand the finer details, but her knowledge about makeup and dressing was as good as that of city girls.

Seeing snacks, seeds, and teas, Yang Pei Min also bought some to serve to guests.

He originally wanted to buy some poplin to make a couple of short-sleeved shirts, but there was no sewing machine available, so he gave up on that idea.

It didn’t seem like a lot when purchasing, but when the time came to carry everything, he realized just how much it was. Fortunately, he had brought a sack; fragile items like porcelain bowls, chopsticks, and eggs were placed on top, cushioned with straw, carefully packed into two bags weighing about twenty to thirty pounds each. Luo Dahua suggested using a bamboo pole to carry them. Yang Peimin sweated, as he had never done such a thing before. Carrying it home like the ordinary women who went to the market, he couldn’t help but laugh at the thought, even though there was no mirror.

When they reached the agreed location, the tractor that brought them in the morning had gone elsewhere for some work; now, there were no vehicles to take them back. They decided to wait there to see if any ox cart heading in their direction could give them a lift.

After waiting for about ten minutes, they finally found an ox cart that was heading back to a village near the military region. Everyone was overjoyed, as they were just about to walk back if no ride turned up.

However, the ox cart had limited seating and could only take four more people. Some started making excuses to get on first, especially Mrs. Cui, who, with her two grandsons, squeezed onto the cart before it fully stopped, leaving room for two more adults. Yang Peimin felt that those with children should board first, so he didn’t move forward. Luo Dahua took her young daughter, and the Red Army wife took her young son. They both should have gotten on, but the two remaining seats were taken by another two military wives.

Now, only Yang Pei Min, Dahua, Red Army wife, and one other military wife were left with two children. Those who had boarded avoided making eye contact, feeling guilty. With two children under five years old, walking back home, which was over ten miles, seemed unbearable. Luo Dahua’s young daughter, Xiao Niu, realizing she couldn’t ride, started crying sadly.